We have collected the most exciting new researches in the field of genetics and cellular research in the past week.
Engineering exosomes to specifically target the mitochondria of brain cells
Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with various health conditions, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondrial-targeting therapy aims to restore or enhance mitochondrial function to treat or alleviate these conditions. Exosomes, small vesicles that cells secrete, containing a variety of biomolecules, are critical in cell-to-cell communication and have been studied as potential therapeutic agents. Exosome-based therapy has the potential to treat both cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes: novel carriers for nanoparticle to combat cancer
Background
The advancement in novel cancer therapeutics brought a platform combining the properties of exosomes with nanoparticles to precision medicine. The novel therapeutic approach aim is cancer-targeted therapy. Exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs-Exo) exhibit unique properties in cancer therapies, which makes them an ideal tool for delivering therapeutic agents into tumor cells.
The main body of the abstract
The key role of natural MSCs-Exo is controversial in cancer therapy; however, they can be engineered at their surface or cargo to serve as a smart drug delivery system for cancer-targeted therapy. In the last few years, researchers harnessed nanotechnology to enforce MSCs-Exo for cancer management including, tumor cell tracking, imaging, and tumor cell killing. Different nanoparticles such as gold nanoparticles have particularly been incorporated into MSCs-Exo, which showed an efficient accumulation at the site of tumor with improved anticancer impact. These findings indicate that a hybrid of exosomes–nanoparticles may serve as combination therapy for the effective removal of cancers.
Short conclusion
Although exhibiting impressive potential, the use of nanoparticle-loaded MSCs-Exo as a drug-delivery tool has been troubled by some challenges, therefore, translation to clinic prerequisites further scrutiny. In this review, we focus on nanoparticle-loaded MSCs-Exo as a new cancer therapy and discuss engineered MSC-Exo for target therapy.
Intestine epithelium-derived exosomes serve as novel mediator in regulating hepatic lipid metabolism
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by excessive hepatic lipid accumulation, poses a high prevalence and can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer. To enhance preventive and therapeutic efforts, an in-depth exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of NAFLD is imperative. Given the close connection between the intestine and the liver, numerous substances regulating hepatic metabolism are either produced or absorbed by the intestinal tract. Exosomes derived from intestinal tissues have been reported to influence the biological process of receptor cells through their cargo, suggesting a potential role in regulating hepatic lipid homeostasis.
Investigation of the effects of B16F10 derived exosomes in induction of immunosuppressive phenotype in the hematopoietic stem cells
Abstract Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the effects of melanoma-derived exosomes on modulating the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) towards immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs).
Materials and Methods: Exosomes were isolated via ultracentrifugation from conditioned media of the B16F10 murine melanoma cell line after adaptation to exosome-free culture conditions. HSCs were extracted from the bone marrow of adult C57BL/6 mice through density gradient separation and MACS column isolation of CD133+ and CD34+ populations. HSCs were cultured with or without B16F10 exosomes for 24 hours. Flow cytometry analyzed the expression of canonical MDSC surface markers CD11b, Ly6G, and Ly6C. Levels of the immunosuppressive cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor beta (TGF-β) in HSC culture supernatants were quantified by ELISA.
Results: Compared to untreated controls, HSCs treated with B16F10 exosomes displayed significantly increased percentages of CD11b+Ly6G+ granulocytic MDSCs and CD11b+Ly6C+ monocytic MDSCs, with a notable predominance of the Ly6G+ granulocytic subtype. Additionally, exosome-treated HSCs secreted markedly higher levels of the cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β, which are involved in MDSC-mediated immunosuppression.
Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that melanoma-derived exosomes can orchestrate the differentiation of HSCs into MDSCs with an immunosuppressive phenotype, as evidenced by the upregulation of MDSC surface markers and secreted cytokines. This supports a role for tumor-derived exosomes in driving the systemic expansion and accumulation of immunosuppressive MDSCs through the reprogramming of HSC fate. Elucidating the exosome contents and HSC signaling pathways involved could reveal therapeutic strategies to block this pathway and enhance anti-tumor immunity.
Therapeutic Effects of Mechanical Stress-Induced C2C12-Derived Exosomes on Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis Through miR-92a-3p/PTEN/AKT Signaling Pathway
Osteoporosis is a common bone disease in which the bone loses density and strength and is prone to fracture. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are important in bone-related diseases. Exosomes, as mediators of cell communication, have potential in cell processes. Previous studies have focused on muscle factors’ regulation of bone remodeling, but research on exosomes is lacking.
Proteomic profiling of serum exosomes reveals acute phase response and promotion of inflammatory and platelet activation pathways in patients with heat stroke
The pathological mechanism of heat stroke (HS) involves the acute phase response, unbalanced immunological/inflammatory reactions, and coagulation initiation, especially platelet activation. Although exosomes contain proteins involved in these biological processes, their protein cargo levels and potential roles in HS remain unknown. This study explored the serum exosome protein expression patterns after HS and their potential roles in the pathogenesis of HS.
Alzheimer’s disease treatment: New exosome-based drug delivery system shows promising results
Exosome-based drug delivery system shows promise in treating Alzheimer’s disease – Professor Li Min and Dr Ashok Iyaswami from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) have developed a new exosome-based drug delivery system for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This new system uses exosomes, naturally occurring nanocarriers, to deliver the bioactive compound Corynoxine-B extracted from the Chinese herb Gouteng to the brain.